|
|
|
Written by Gene Morris
|
|
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:00 |
In its first season of existence, the Paola Panther fourth-grade boys’ basketball tournament team had a very successful run.
The Paola Panthers won two tournaments, were runner-up in one and placed third in another. Paola was 13-5 on the season.
One of the season highlights was winning the competitive Johnson County Classic. The Paola Panthers also won the Garnett Invitational.
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Gene Morris
|
|
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:00 |
No one really knows if the University of Kansas men’s basketball team, fresh off its third victory against rival Kansas State for another Big 12 tournament championship, will get it done in the NCAA tournament and win its second national title in three years. 
Obviously, Kansas could go all the way with its dramatic one-two punch of lightning quick guard Sherron Collins and the big man inside, Cole Aldrich.
What is really scary? The No. 1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks (32-2) have yet to play their best basketball.
They have lapses in games that would sink the likes of Kentucky, Syracuse and Duke.
Kansas could not make a shot inside the paint early against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, missing 11 baskets from point-blank range, including layups and dunks.
Yet, with six minutes to go, and Texas Tech trailing by just two points, 65-63, the Kansas Jayhawks did what they have been able to do all season — find the on switch and flip it.
Collins and Xavier Henry hit consecutive 3-pointers for the Jayhawks and Kansas finished the game on a 15-5 run to secure an 80-68 victory in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Thursday.
It was no ordinary win, either, notching the 2,000th in the program’s storied basketball tradition as Kansas became only the third school in history to accomplish the feat, joining Kentucky and North Carolina.
|
|
|
|
Written by Gene Morris
|
|
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:00 |
|
Paola senior Allison Wood is following her dreams to Emporia State and taking her glove with her.
Wood heads to Emporia in pursuit of a teaching degree and will continue another one of her favorite things — playing softball.
She signed a letter of intent earlier this winter to play for the Emporia State Hornets softball program.
“I want to be a teacher and their teaching program is one of the top ones around,” Wood said. “They have a great softball program and a really good coach.”
Wood has played first base and pitched for the Paola High School Panthers.
Last season, Wood was a first-team Tri-County Spotlight selection at first base. She fielded 110 chances and made two errors for a .982 fielding percentage.
In addition to playing first base, Wood worked in the starting rotation for the Panthers and won seven games.
Due to a knee injury during the Paola Panthers’ second to last basketball game, Wood will miss her senior season.
Wood was recruited by the Emporia State Hornets to play first base.
|
|
|
|
Written by Gene Morris
|
|
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:00 |
For the Paola High School softball program, there is but one quest — capture a Class 4A state championship. 
It would be the school’s first softball state title. Paola has been in the Class 4A substate championship game three consecutive years, winning twice to advance to state tournament action.
Paola won two games in the tournament in 2007, placing third in the state for the program’s first state softball trophy.
Now, three years later, senior Kylee Mader would like nothing more than for her right arm to take the Panthers all the way to the top.
First things first, the Panthers have to get back to the substate title game and win and then go take care of business at state.
The work to get back began in earnest March 1, the first day for spring sports practice.
Paola hits the basics every day and that starts with going through the batting stations where players hit the ball off a machine and out of a bucket, working on everything from making contact to putting down a sacrifice bunt.
Once they take the field, there are pitching and catching drills to loosen arms up. Other fielders play soft toss catch and gradually move back to warm up.
|
|
|
|
Written by Gene Morris
|
|
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 08:00 |
Success is one of those words that takes on lots of meaning.
Some see it in the world of sports as simply the wins and losses. While those are important, Paola High School wrestling coach Russ Hermreck said during the team banquet, they are not the only measure.
One of the ways Hermreck measures success is seeing something through.
“One of my personal goals is to have 40 kids out for the team,” Hermreck said. “This year at the wrestling meeting we had 42 kids show up. Thirty-four of them came out for the team and 32 were with us at the end of the season.”
The Paola Panthers would like to make that 40 and 40 one year, but keeping 32 kids out and dedicated to the program says a lot about the young men involved in the program, Hermreck said.
“Wrestling is a battle,” he said. “Practice isn’t fun. Making weight isn’t fun. Weight lifting conditioning isn’t fun. About the only thing that is enjoyable is winning. This sport teaches you a lot about yourself.
|
|
|
